News

By Patrick Rose, Executive Director

For more than 50 years, all marine mammals—including manatees, whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and polar bears—have received the vitally important protections provided through the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), adopted by Congress in 1972. However, recently introduced draft legislation to amend the MMPA would strip away these core environmental requirements.

If our members of Congress don’t hear from us—loud and clear—that we demand they defend this highly effective law against those who would seek to eviscerate its safeguards, marine mammal populations could be left unprotected for the sake of greedy profiteers.

Currently, the MMPA protects all marine mammals, whether or not they are already imperiled, and establishes Optimal Sustainable Population (OSP) levels as the long-term management goal. This goal ensures species can not only survive, but that populations are abundant enough to thrive in their ecosystems and adapt to future threats. If industry lobbyists have their way, these foundational protections could be stripped away entirely.

Additionally, protections for species already at risk—such as manatees and whales—work in tandem with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 to prevent extinction and to promote recovery efforts that also aim for OSP levels. The two laws together create a powerful safety net for both species and their habitats.

I cannot emphasize enough how crucial the combined protections of the MMPA and ESA have been in preventing the extinction of manatees and whales, while also safeguarding their designated Critical Habitats. But unless each member of Congress hears from us, individually and collectively, that they must hold firm for all marine mammals, these protections could be weakened, and the consequences will be devastating.

Here’s how you can help: Write or call your members of Congress and demand they defend the MMPA and ESA against these heinous attempts to leave manatees and other marine mammals defenseless against those putting profits before protections. Find your congresspersons at congress.gov/members.

As someone who has spent five decades working to protect manatees and other marine species, I can tell you firsthand: these laws work. But only if we stand up and defend them. Please take a few minutes to speak up—for the manatees, for all marine mammals, and for the future of our planet’s vital waterways.